News

News

A new Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposal would require that all public housing be smokefree. See the proposed rule here.

The proposal would protect an estimated 760,000 children from exposure to secondhand smoke. It would apply to public housing, but not all government subsidized housing, such as private rentals that accept vouchers. It would not apply to e-cigarettes or other novelty tobacco products.

Asthma is the most common chronic condition among children in the United States, and secondhand smoke is one of the most significant contributors to the disease. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that secondhand smoke worsens the symptoms of up to one million children each year. African-American, Puerto Rican, and Hispanic children experience the highest rates of asthma.

The measure is expected to save $153 million per year in healthcare and housing costs.